FireKeepers Casino: Horse Racing Act changes would violate agreement

File photoFireKeepers Casino near Battle Creek features a variety of slot machines.

BATTLE CREEK, MI -- A FireKeepers Casino spokesman said legislation allowing a new kind of instant wagering at Michigan horse racing tracks would be improper.

"I guess our view on this would be it would be a violation of the agreement we have with the state," said Michael Facenda, spokesman for the casino off I-94 between Marshall and Battle Creek. "It would dilute the market further and, obviously, we would be in opposition."

The horse racing industry is pushing legislation to update the state's Horse Racing Act. Among other things, the legislation would allow race tracks to take bets on historic races that would be rebroadcast on video screens. Bettors would not know the date and location of the events or the names of the jockeys or drivers, but they would have access to data about the horses competing.